Challal Cafe

Upon entering I was greeted by some guys with unibrows who were rocking out to Creed. That should say enough.

It is hard to believe that something this awesome is in League City, not inside the loop. This is a hookah bar. With a patio outside as well as chess AND checkers sets inside. There is a very long list of flavors so much so that as a regular here, trying something different every night I stop in, I still have not tried them all. If you get lucky with your seating choice you might be able to look over the shoulder of the manager and watch a DVD on the television set - that is how I saw most of the film Grown Ups and several awesome parts of Avatar: The Last Airbender. And the best part of Challal notwithstanding everything I just wrote? This is a hookah bar without any Ed Hardy and Affliction clothing polluting the environment unlike Byzantio. This must be how Christopher Columbus felt when he saw land. Or when Reese dropped his peanut butter sandwich into a vat of chocolate. Or when Al Gore invented the internet out of a paperclip and an empty soup can. Brilliant.

Since you are likely coming from inside the loop here is what you do, because otherwise you are going to get lost, confused, and angry. Take 45 south towards Galveston and exit #25. Take a right at the light onto West Main, get into the left lane and take a left onto Hobbs, the street behind the little strip mall on the feeder. A Taco Bell is on your left and Challal is in the industrial-looking strip mall immediately to your right which the edge of the parking lot abuts the back of the Waffle House. Plenty of parking abounds. You can jump across the grass and go get some waffles at Waffle House if you later have the munchies.

Regardless of age you are going to get carded. I guess I really look like a mischievous little high school kid. But I will just take it as a compliment on my devilish goods looks and Patrick Bateman skin care regimen.

The reason why I really like Challal is that they have a lot of flavors of hookah. Nothing is more obnoxious than going to a place with three flavors, especially when two of them are out, and the only one left you can order is Rose or some garbage. That has happened to be me before at other establishments - but never here. My order is always fulfilled, and with a smile too!

My favorite flavor is Red Bull. You must try and worship it. You can thank me later. Other great ones are the guava and guava-mixes.

As mentioned there are chess and checkers sets to play with if conversation gets a bit dull or slow. There is a pool table as well. There is a large couch area inside near the door if you want to "chill" or snuggle up as you enjoy the hookah. Or you can get a table further inside if you want to do some homework/reading or work on the laptop. Or on the days of nice weather, even ask for the manager to take the hookah out to the patio for you. Sitting outside at night with nice weather and in a peaceful area (its not like Byzantio with traffic flying by on West Gray) makes the hookah just taste better as you look at the stars.

It is way out in the suburbs so it closes early. It is not midnight territory by any means - so come early and be prepared to move onwards before it gets crazy late.

Did I mention free wi-fi?

They don't serve food or drinks, the place is empty and the hookah is overpriced. When we walked in, thugs place was deserted, except for the owner who was sleeping on the couch. The hookah we were served was dirty and still had the saliva covered tip from whoever smoked out of out last on it. I advise avoiding this place.